CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Capital in Excess of Par Value [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Stock Option Loans [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) [Member]	Comprehensive Income [Member]
Balance at Jul. 31, 2009	$ 1,114,598	$ 12,796	$ 197,759	$ 1,237,735	$ (354,274)	$ (435)	$ 21,017
Comprehensive income:
Net earnings	241,248			241,248				241,248
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
Foreign currency translation	(29,766)						(29,766)	(29,766)
Pension liability adjustment	(23,600)						(23,600)	(23,600)
Unrealized investment gains, net of reclassification adjustment	2,001						2,001	2,001
Unrealized gain on derivatives	444						444	444
Comprehensive income								190,327
Dividends declared	(74,263)			(74,263)
Issuance of shares for stock plans and tax benefit related to stock plans	22,056		(9,483)	(10,399)	41,938
Restricted stock units related to stock plans	4,804		4,804
Stock based compensation expense	24,616		24,616
Purchase of shares	(99,999)				(99,999)
Stock option loans	211					211
Balance at Jul. 31, 2010	1,182,350	12,796	217,696	1,394,321	(412,335)	(224)	(29,904)
Comprehensive income:
Net earnings	315,496			315,496				315,496
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
Foreign currency translation	110,229						110,229	110,229
Pension liability adjustment	10,746						10,746	10,746
Unrealized investment gains, net of reclassification adjustment	4,076						4,076	4,076
Comprehensive income								440,547
Dividends declared	(80,848)			(80,848)
Issuance of shares for stock plans and tax benefit related to stock plans	65,180		(3,439)	(9,918)	78,537
Restricted stock units related to stock plans	5,975		5,975
Stock based compensation expense	26,433		26,433
Purchase of shares	(149,907)				(149,907)
Stock option loans	91					91
Balance at Jul. 31, 2011	1,489,821	12,796	246,665	1,619,051	(483,705)	(133)	95,147
Comprehensive income:
Net earnings	319,309			319,309				319,309
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
Foreign currency translation	(109,815)						(109,815)	(109,815)
Pension liability adjustment	(42,613)						(42,613)	(42,613)
Unrealized investment gains, net of reclassification adjustment	(5,896)						(5,896)	(5,896)
Unrealized gain on derivatives	270						270	270
Comprehensive income								161,255
Dividends declared	(94,832)			(94,832)
Issuance of shares for stock plans and tax benefit related to stock plans	35,672		(14,380)	(2,602)	52,654
Restricted stock units related to stock plans	7,340		7,340
Stock based compensation expense	31,864		31,864
Purchase of shares	(121,164)				(121,164)
Stock option loans	79					79
Balance at Jul. 31, 2012	$ 1,510,035	$ 12,796	$ 271,489	$ 1,840,926	$ (552,215)	$ (54)	$ (62,907)